The Inc. column.

Silver Lining in Jaeger's life involves helping children

The former tennis star will receive the Ronald McDonald House Charities 2001 Award of Excellence during a Saturday gala at Rosemont's Stephens Convention Center. Jaeger, who turned pro at the age of 14 after starring at Lincolnshire's Stevenson High School, is being honored for founding the Silver Lining Foundation. The non-profit organization provides opportunities for children with cancer.

Jaeger appreciates the recognition. But she tells Inc. her work pales in comparison to the work of New York firefighters and police officers during last month's tragic terrorist attack.

"These people, they risk their lives every day," said Jaeger, a former U.S. Open semifinalist. "I'm not risking my life every hour of my job, I'm giving my life. There's a big difference. Perhaps the biggest heroes in the world are people who risk their lives everyday for us. But I feel comfortable saying that I have given my life."

Wait, there's more: There are many sides to tennis cutie Anna Kournikova--and we're not talking about her most photographed sides. But Jaeger tells us there's a side of Kournikova many people don't know. Anna is one of the Silver Lining Foundation's biggest boosters.

"Whenever we've brought kids with cancer to tournaments, she's one of the first players to come over to take pictures," Jaeger says. "We never have to ask. She wasn't even playing in [this year's] U.S. Open and she still flew into New York for a special foundation luncheon and signing. I've known her for a number of years in that capacity. Anna just doesn't go out and promote herself."

Out and about: Inc. hears "Sopranos" daughter Jamie-Lynn Sigler, fresh off the cover of the September issue of Maxim, was making a lot of guys swoon while dining at Gibsons on Tuesday.

Say what? How did Marlow Colvin find out he was in line to replace Todd Stroger as state rep for the 31st District? Colvin says he and Todd were playing golf when Todd asked him, "What would you say if my father [Cook County Board President John Stroger] asked you to be a state rep?" A disbelieving Colvin replied, "He's not going to ask me to do that" and continued with his game.

Sound familiar? "American Beauty" producers Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen have developed an hourlong "dramedy" for ABC set in Chicago's suburbs. "Floral Drive" is about four friends entering 8th grade in 1981.

This just in: The folks at the Illinois Liquor Control Commission are pumped because their new "Bear Down on Underage Sales" poster featuring the Bears' Tony Parrish will pop up on Thursday's episode of "ER."

This also just in: That fundraiser at Everest featuring chefs Jean Joho, Charlie Trotter, Dominique Tougne, Mark Baker, Roland Liccioni, Sandro Gamba and Gabino Sotelino raised $75,000 to help fellow chef Jean-Louis Palladin with his medical bills in his fight with lung cancer.